Present the results of independent research in front of faculty
and peers.

The multiple skills acquired as a result of this process make REU
program participants competitive applicants for graduate school and
strong candidates for jobs in biological research.

Program Design

Ther core component of the MRS REU program that
facilitates the learning objectives stated above:

All students develop an independent research project under the
guidance of a faculty mentor. Faculty mentors have committed their time
and expertise to the program, and are dedicated to helping students
succeed throughout the development, execution, data analysis, and
presentation phases
of independent projects.

Seminars and workshops will provide students exposure to the
ongoing research at the MRS, describe local environmental issues (e.g.
nitrogen deposition, climate change, fire),
facilitate science communication, and assist students with the next
step in their science training (graduate school)

Timeline

The first week of the MRS REU program is a critical period devoted
to working in
groups of 2–3 on three small–scale research projects. These
projects
allow students to get to know each other in an informal, collaborative
setting. Students also get a chance to design and execute experiments,
analyze data using statistical techniques, and present findings in
front of their peers.

Weeks 2—9 are spent working intensively with faculty mentors
developing, designing, and executing students' independent research
projects, with instructional seminars and social events scattered in
the mix

Week 10 is typically allocated to data analysis (graphical and
statistical), and assembling an oral presentation that will be
delivered to an audience of faculty mentors and peers.